DORSET high jumper Ryan Webb is more determined than ever to reach heights he never before has following his most consistent season yet.

The 19-year-old, originally from Verwood but who attends Loughborough University, has reached the end of the outdoor season and has continued to turn out for Wimborne AC as he keeps his fitness ticking over.

Last season was the first in his career when he failed to break his personal best, now sitting at 2.14m, which he leapt at the Yeovil South West League in June 2016.

But Webb believes his consistency throughout the season bodes well as a building block as he looks to kick on next year.

“My personal best has not increased but my consistency has so, despite the lack of a personal best, I’ve been more consistent at a higher height,” said Webb, who benefits from receiving financial aid as part of the SSE Next Generation scheme.

“I still jumped one centimetre below it in Sheffield in February but it’s been a lot more consistent over a lot more attempts.

“It’s a good stepping stone of a season to get me where I want to go rather than making an immediate impact of jumping higher.

“It’s been a step in the right direction. I’m better off having a consistent season now as there wasn’t any real major competitions for me.

“It puts things back in perspective, rather than expecting to break a PB every year. I now have this new motivation – next year I’m going to give it even more in order to build on what I have learned this year.”

Webb, who will return for his second year at Loughborough University later this month, added he had enjoyed his time back at his local club and seeing a few familiar faces.

And he has identified what he needs to do in order to power past the 2.14 mark that has remained his best effort since June last year.

“It’s all about gym work,” he added. “I’m quite a lightweight for my height. Even though I obviously want to stay lean for the events, I’m almost too light for it.

“That’s going to be the focus this winter, getting in the gym and getting the right foods on board, so I can get working towards the optimum weight and where I need to be.

“My running will become a lot more powerful and that’s where I need to be.

“I’m done for this season now, so the next one will probably be at the indoors in January, an open competition to ease myself back into the season.”

Since 2013, SSE is proud to make a difference to young people, their families and their communities by investing in the future of sporting talent through the SSE Next Generation scheme. Keep up to date @YourSSE